...day and night for the rest of his life (assume this time period is 70 years) in my basement, would this be ethical or just or right? Think of the worst tortue imaginable for a human being to endure. If the answer is no, how can I justify believing in a God who would continue this tortue for eternity if the man never believed in Jesus? If Jesus was alive today, could you replace me with him in this scenario and have a different answer?
Just so everyone understands...I'm not an atheist. This is a difficult question, but I am still a follower of Jesus (I'm open to the idea that we got Jesus' teaching wrong on this subject though). That said, PLEASE stick to the question itself and try and provide a well-thought out, emotionally calm answer to a very difficult question of the faith.
2007-12-10 07:21:36 · 36 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Also to clarify...he heard that this punishment was what awaited him after he did his evil deeds, but he still chose to do it. Wouldn't he be choosing this fate and I would just be the means to that end?
2007-12-10 07:23:54 · update #1
Let's change the question to help with some of the answers...does your answer change if the guy knew, or heard but didn't believe, that when he did these things that he would be transported to my basement where these tortures would take place...and I knowlingly "allowed" this torture to take place for the rest of his life...is this right or just?
2007-12-10 08:09:40 · update #2
Why would any diety create a system where you pay for the mistakes of a short lifetime for eternity. It is ridiculous to an absurd degree. The threat of Hell is simply a man-made concept used to control the actions of other men. As is any god figure.
As to the question of the torture machine. Can I be the guy that pushes the button?
2007-12-10 07:27:49 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
The Christian religion has a concept of AUTHORITY which is not really discussed much because people don't ask questions like yours.
No man has the authority to damn someone to 'hell', or to judge whether they have committed a sin.
We have civil and criminal laws for upholding our civilization, but those laws (in Christian society) do not include torture as a penalty.
God, on the other hand, DOES have the authority, and can do things (without being wrong) that you or I shouldn't do.
Too many people seem to think that God should have the same restrictions that we have. We are not equal to God, and we can't judge God.
I hope this is just a hypothetical question, and you don't have some particular person in mind.
You call yourself a 'follower of Jesus' but don't say that you are a Christian (?). I see that you take this very seriously, so maybe you should go to real experts who've devoted their lives to understanding these things instead of trying to figure it out in isolation.
I suggest you get yourself down to a real church so you can get some guidance from a priest.
And if you start hearing voices that tell you someone needs punishing, please see a doctor immediately.
No kidding.
2007-12-10 07:51:39 · answer #2 · answered by james p 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Basically, only "God" has the prerogative to torture (or allow to be tortured, same difference) people for all eternity. What would be absolutely ethically and morally unthinkable for we mere humans is no sweat off God's back. And not just for mas-murderers - hey, I'm headed to hell just because the person I love happens to be the same sex as I am.
"I think you answered your own question here. You should believe in God so that you won't have to face eternal suffering in Hell."
Because "God," the almighty Maker of all things seen and unseen, is so insecure that if you refuse to believe in Him on "faith," He'll toss you to the charnel forever.
"I must of missed the part in the Bible where it says that God tortures people."
This is really too much. Have you read the Bible AT ALL? Does the phrase "weeping and gnashing of teeth" ring a bell? Both Jesus and Paul are absolutely obsessed with the idea of eternal hellfire - that is, eternal torture - for unbelievers.
2007-12-10 07:28:38 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
no it would not be right. although what he did was absolutely horrible that is no excuse to treat him as a sub human, that would be sinking down to his level and then you would also lose. someone like that needs to be kept away from society at all costs and that would just mean for him to go to jail. it is up to God on what his punishment is. it is not ours to judge and punish, that is God's job. "let he without sin cast the first stone." it is impossible for us mere humans be able to justly punish someone so severely because we do not know all the circumstances. perhaps he was sexually abused as a kid and is forever demented by that. can we then put all the blame on him? should we then punish the his abuser the same way as well? but then maybe the abuser was abused, etc. nothing is ever black and white. there is gray everywhere and as humans we cannot account for everything, that is why God is God and we are humans. we do have every right to protect ourselves from evil like that so like i mentioned above putting him in prison for life would be fine since he is a danger to society. that is as long as he was fed and treated fairly decently.
and if Jesus was in your shoes i do not think He would torture him either. he dined with sinners when he was on earth the first time and did not torture anyone, he just tried to save them. also Jesus teaches it is the Father who judges not the Son. it is up to God to determine who deserves punishment and reward.
2007-12-10 07:33:55 · answer #4 · answered by cyberpeter01 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Thats a tough question, and I don't claim to have all the answers to it. Some say hell is just separation from God, being able to see from a distance the joys of Heaven but not being able to enter it. The Bible teaches that it is a place of torment and darkness. Now, from one point of view, God is NOT punishing these people, He gave then a choice and told them what was at the end of the road, and they rushed forward anyway. He didn't need to throw them into hell, they jumped. If I told you "Get off the tracks, a train is coming!" but you stood firmly and even held on tight to those tracks, your death would not be a "punishment" from me, it would be the result of your own actions.
I will check back and see if you get better answers than I am able to give to you.
2007-12-10 07:31:35 · answer #5 · answered by Thrice Blessed 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well you answered your own question:
"Also to clarify...he heard that this punishment was what awaited him after he did his evil deeds, but he still chose to do it. Wouldn't he be choosing this fate and I would just be the means to that end?"
Yup...you got it on the nose...
Whatever punishment he received in this life or the next would be completely justifiable especially if he knew the consequences and chose to continue his acts...if he professed repentance and begged forgiveness it would be best to destroy the body and let the spirit be dealt with by God...
2007-12-10 07:47:26 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
No because it would really defeat the pupose Jesus died on the cross, not justifiying that if oppurtunity arise that we are able to willfully accept Christ and don't then we understand why satan has his job and God word is true. we have a chose to help satan at his job or choose to believe in King Jesus. all that to say God does not tortue anyone, He just allow us to choose if we want to be.
2007-12-10 07:36:48 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The biggest problem people have is considering God's perfect justice without considering his perfect mercy.
To make your example parallel to Jesus, the judge would have to step in and take the punishment for the evil man - the full punishment. Then the criminal would have to know that, but still choose to take the punishment on himself.
That puts a different perspective on it, doesn't it?
2007-12-10 07:28:06 · answer #8 · answered by sneegli 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Hmmm... well, I'm Jewish, and I believe in one G-d, but I do NOT believe that Jesus is G-d. I have nothing against people who do think that, and I'd never try to convince someone that what I believe is the only right way.
And i also do not believe that I am going to hell b/c of it.
As for the rapist/murderer, I don't know....
2007-12-10 07:27:32 · answer #9 · answered by Shana B 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Im unsure how you came up with torturing someone who murdered boys and girls out of jesus sacrificing his life for your sins. How is god torturing anyone? Im unsure what you mean so I cant really answer this question. Rephrase or rethink what you wanted to ask and try again.
2007-12-10 07:27:52 · answer #10 · answered by RE 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋